For Persons with Disabilities
| The National Council on Disability (NCD) is an independent federal agency that makes recommendations to the President and Congress to improve the quality of life for Americans with disabilities and their families. NCD first proposed a civil rights law for people with disabilities, and the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law in 1990. The purpose of NCD is to promote policies, programs, practices, and procedures that guarantee equal opportunity for all individuals with disabilities, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability; and to empower individuals with disabilities to achieve economic self-sufficiency, independent living, inclusion and integration into society. For information, resources and related links, go online to www.ncd.gov. The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) is the nonprofit membership organization for the federally mandated Protection and Advocacy (P&A) Systems and Client Assistance Programs (CAP) for individuals with disabilities. The P&A/CAP network is the largest provider of legally based advocacy services for people with disabilities in the U.S. The NDRN serves a wide range of people with disabilities, including (but not limited to) those with cognitive, mental, sensory and physical disabilities. For specific resources and assistance, go online to www.ndrn.org. The U.S. Department of Education provides training and information to parents of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities, and to people who work with parents to enable them to participate more fully and effectively with professionals in meeting the educational needs of their children with disabilities. For more information, visit www.ed.gov. U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity offers resources and answers questions about the housing rights of people with disabilities, and the responsibilities of housing providers and building and design professionals according to the federal law. For more information, go online to www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/disabilities.
National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) NLS offers the free loan of recorded and braille books/magazines, music scores in braille and large print, and specially designed playback equipment to residents of the U.S. who are unable to read or use standard print materials because of visual or physical impairment. Service is also extended to eligible American citizens residing abroad. While NLS administers the program, direct service is provided through cooperating libraries. Contact NLS for application forms and addresses of cooperating libraries. From the Federal Citizen Information Center | |||||||||
